He had no job, no money and no car and he spent all his energy on survival, he said.

"I was out there just trying to live," Leeks told the judge during his sentencing hearing Friday.

Flagler County Circuit Judge J. David Walsh showed little mercy when he issued his sentence -- four years in state prison. Leeks, a reported Bloods gang member, faced up to four years and two months behind bars.

Leeks was charged in 2006 and 2008 on drug and racketeering charges, respectively. He was convicted and sent to prison in April 2009 and released in October 2011, according to the Florida Department of Corrections. He was required to serve one year of probation following his release.

In July 2012, new warrants were issued for Leeks' arrest on two counts of violation of probation, according to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.

He violated many of his terms, including reporting to his probation officer as required, authorities said.

"He doesn't cooperate," said prosecutor John A. Wethington III during his argument Friday at the Kim C. Hammond Justice Center. "He just disappears ... He chose to abuse (his) opportunity."

Leeks told Walsh "everything fell apart" in his life after his release from prison. He had a job lined up and was living with his godmother, but both opportunities fell through and he was left with nothing.

Over time, Leeks surrounded himself with the right people and recently was handed a business opportunity, he said. A lengthy prison sentence would put his second chance in jeopardy, he told the judge.

"I got an opportunity right now ... to better myself," Leeks said.

The defendant was one of several reported members of the Bloods gang arrested during a crackdown on local gangs by the Flagler County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

The suspected Flagler Bloods gang leader, Brandon E. Washington, was sentenced in November 2011 to life in prison. He was convicted of second-degree murder, racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, burglary while armed and other charges.

<p>BUNNELL &mdash; Terrance Leeks said he violated his probation because he was too far down on his luck. That was why he didn't report to his probation supervisor as mandated by the court. </p><p>He had no job, no money and no car and he spent all his energy on survival, he said.</p><p>"I was out there just trying to live," Leeks told the judge during his sentencing hearing Friday.</p><p>Flagler County Circuit Judge J. David Walsh showed little mercy when he issued his sentence -- four years in state prison. Leeks, a reported Bloods gang member, faced up to four years and two months behind bars.</p><p>Leeks was charged in 2006 and 2008 on drug and racketeering charges, respectively. He was convicted and sent to prison in April 2009 and released in October 2011, according to the Florida Department of Corrections. He was required to serve one year of probation following his release.</p><p>In July 2012, new warrants were issued for Leeks' arrest on two counts of violation of probation, according to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office. </p><p>He violated many of his terms, including reporting to his probation officer as required, authorities said. </p><p>"He doesn't cooperate," said prosecutor John A. Wethington III during his argument Friday at the Kim C. Hammond Justice Center. "He just disappears ... He chose to abuse (his) opportunity." </p><p>Leeks told Walsh "everything fell apart" in his life after his release from prison. He had a job lined up and was living with his godmother, but both opportunities fell through and he was left with nothing. </p><p>Over time, Leeks surrounded himself with the right people and recently was handed a business opportunity, he said. A lengthy prison sentence would put his second chance in jeopardy, he told the judge. </p><p>"I got an opportunity right now ... to better myself," Leeks said. </p><p>The defendant was one of several reported members of the Bloods gang arrested during a crackdown on local gangs by the Flagler County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. </p><p>The suspected Flagler Bloods gang leader, Brandon E. Washington, was sentenced in November 2011 to life in prison. He was convicted of second-degree murder, racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, burglary while armed and other charges.</p>